Color changing backlight for fluid delivery devices displaying temperature

ABSTRACT

A display unit for a fluid delivery device which outputs water includes a printed circuit board, a diffuser supported by the printed circuit board, and a display screen electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The display unit further includes a first light source electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, and a second light source electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The first and second light sources define backlighting for the display screen. Operation of the first and second light sources is adjusted in response to a change in temperature of the output water of the fluid delivery device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/934,371, filed on Jan. 31, 2014 (Attorney DocketNo. DFC-4701-01), and is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/894,859 filed on May 15, 2013 (Attorney Docket No. DFC-4430), thecomplete disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a user interface for fluiddelivery devices and, more particularly, to a display unit with avariable backlight which changes in response to a change in watertemperature.

Fluid delivery devices may be used in both kitchen and bathapplications. For example, a fluid delivery device for a kitchenapplication may include a faucet and/or a sprayer for use at a kitchensink. Additionally, a fluid delivery device for a bath application mayinclude a showerhead, a hand shower or sprayer, a tub faucet, and/or alavatory faucet. Each fluid delivery device may include a user interfaceto control the flow and temperature of outlet water from the fluiddelivery device. The user interface may also include a display unit toindicate various parameters and properties of the fluid delivery device,for example, water temperature, operating mode, current time and date,and/or other information about the fluid delivery device.

The present disclosure relates to a fluid delivery device which includesa display unit for indicating at least the temperature of the waterdelivered therefrom. The display unit may be configured to illuminate aportion of the display unit when indicating the water temperature. Moreparticularly, the illustrative display unit may be configured withbacklighting which changes color in response to the outlet watertemperature.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, adisplay unit for a fluid delivery device which outputs water comprises aprinted circuit board, a diffuser supported by the printed circuitboard, and a display screen electrically coupled to the printed circuitboard. The display unit further comprises a first light sourceelectrically coupled to the printed circuit board, and a second lightsource electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The first andsecond light sources define backlighting for the display screen.Operation of the first and second light sources is adjusted in responseto a temperature of the output water of the fluid delivery device.

According to a further illustrative embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a fluid delivery device configured to output water comprisesa temperature sensor for detecting temperature of the output water, acontroller electrically coupled to the temperature sensor, and a displayunit electrically coupled to the controller. The display unit includes afirst light source configured to be operated by the controller to adjustbacklighting of the display unit. The controller is configured toreceive a signal from the temperature sensor and send at least onesignal to the first light source in response to the signal from thetemperature sensor.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,a method of controlling a backlighting output on a fluid delivery deviceconfigured to deliver water comprises the steps of providing a displayunit on the fluid delivery device, electrically coupling a first lightsource defining a first color to the display unit, and electricallycoupling a second light source defining a second color to the displayunit. The method further comprises the steps of providing a controllerconfigured to adjust an output of the first and second light sources,and sending a first signal from the controller to the first light sourceto adjust the backlighting output of the fluid delivery device to thefirst color when a temperature of the water is less than a firsttemperature. Additionally, the method comprises the step of sending asecond signal from the controller to at least the second light source toadjust the backlighting output of the fluid delivery device to includethe second color when the temperature of the water is greater than thefirst temperature.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying thebest mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to theaccompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of a portion of a showerenclosure with a showerhead, a hand shower, and a display unit of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the display unit coupled to thehand shower of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial front perspective view of a portion of a tub, afaucet, a hand sprayer, and an alternative embodiment of the displayunit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial front perspective view of a portion of a kitchensink and faucet with an alternative embodiment of the display unit ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative embodiment of a user interface including anembodiment of the display unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the user interface of FIG. 5,including an embodiment of the display unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the user interface of FIG. 5,including an embodiment of the display unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of theuser input of FIG. 5, including the display unit of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a rear exploded perspective view of the user interface anddisplay unit of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the display unit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the display unit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the display unit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid delivery device of thepresent disclosure, illustrating a plurality of inputs and at least oneoutput; and

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of an illustrative method of operation ofthe fluid delivery device of FIG. 13, illustrating a plurality of inputsand at least one output.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather,the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable oneskilled in the art to practice the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an illustrative fluid delivery device 10 isconfigured to supply hot and/or cold water through a hot water supply(not shown), a cold water supply (not shown), and a valve assembly (notshown). In one embodiment, the operating temperature of fluid deliverydevice 10 may be from approximately 60° F. to approximately 130° F., andmore particularly, from approximately 80° F. to approximately 110° F.

Fluid delivery device 10 may be operably coupled to a user interface 16which includes a user input 18 in order to modify or adjust the outputof water through operation of the valve assembly, as detailed furtherherein. Additionally, user interface 16 may include a display unit 20 toindicate various parameters or information about fluid delivery device10 to a user. For example, display unit 20 may be a liquid crystaldisplay (“LCD”) configured to output the temperature of the water, theoperating mode, the current time and/or date, and/or any otherinformation about fluid delivery device 10. In one embodiment, anoperating voltage of display unit 20 may be approximately 1.0-10.0 V,and more particularly 3.0-5.0 V, for example 4.8 V. Display unit 20 maybe powered through a battery (not shown), or alternatively, may behard-wired to an electrical system. Additional embodiments of displayunit 20 may be powered through alternative energy sources, for exampledisplay unit 20 may be hydro-powered. In order to output information tothe user, fluid delivery device 10 is operably coupled to at least atemperature sensor 22, for example a thermistor, and a controller 24, asshown in FIG. 13. In one embodiment, controller 24 may be amicroprocessor electrically coupled with temperature sensor 22 via acable and/or an electrical connector (not shown).

Illustratively, fluid delivery device 10 may be supported in a showerenclosure 12 and define a showerhead 10A supported on a wall 14 ofshower enclosure 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, fluid deliverydevice 10 may define a hand shower or hand sprayer 10B supported on wall14 of shower enclosure 12, as also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, fluid delivery device 10 may besupported on a tub 26 and define a tub faucet 10C positioned on an uppersurface 28 of tub 26. Additionally, fluid delivery device 10 may definea tub sprayer 10D supported on upper surface 28 of tub 26.

FIG. 4 illustratively shows a further alternative embodiment of fluiddelivery device 10. More particularly, fluid delivery device 10 may besupported on a lavatory or kitchen sink 32 and define a lavatory orkitchen faucet 10E positioned on a base surface 34 of sink 32.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, user interface 16 of fluid delivery device 10includes user input 18 which may define various embodiments, such as apush button, knob, handle, lever, dial, or any other input device. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7, user input 18 may define atleast one push button 18A electrically coupled to controller 24 (FIG.13) and supported on fluid delivery device 10. Alternatively, as shownin FIG. 5, user input 18 may define a knob 18B or dial 18D, which areconfigured to be rotated or otherwise moved by a user to adjust orchange various parameters of fluid delivery device 10. In a furtheralternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, user input 18 maydefine a handle or lever 18C, which is configured to rotate, pivot, orotherwise move in order to change various parameters of fluid deliverydevice 10.

In operation, user input 18 is operably coupled to the valve assembly(not shown) to control the input from the hot and cold water supplies(not shown). Additionally, user input 18 may be configured to controlthe output mode of fluid delivery device 10. For example, through userinput 18, a user may choose a spray or stream mode for fluid deliverydevice 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, user interface 16 further includes displayunit 20, which may be supported on fluid delivery device 10. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of display unit 20 may besupported on hand shower 10B. Alternatively, a further embodiment ofdisplay unit 20 may be supported on tub 26 and/or tub sprayer 10D, asshown in FIG. 3. In a further embodiment, an embodiment of display unit20 may be supported on a portion of faucet 10E and/or base surface 34 ofsink 32. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, an embodiment ofdisplay unit 20 may be provided for shower applications and supported onwall 14 of shower enclosure 12.

Referring to FIG. 8, illustrative user interface 16 of the presentdisclosure may be supported on shower enclosure 12 and includes userinput 18, illustratively handle 18C, and display unit 20. An escutcheonor cover 36 also may be supported on shower enclosure 12 and conceal aportion of display unit 20. Escutcheon 36 may include a lens cover 38 toseal display unit 20 from the water delivered from fluid delivery device10.

As shown in FIGS. 9-12, display unit 20 is electrically coupled tocontroller 24 (FIG. 13) and includes a printed circuit board 40, atranslucent block or diffuser 42, and a display screen 44,illustratively a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) screen. In oneembodiment, display screen 44 is segmented LCD screen. Diffuser 42 maybe comprised of glass, an acrylic polymer, or other translucentmaterials and is positioned intermediate display screen 44 and printedcircuit board 40. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, display screen 44 iselectrically coupled to printed circuit board through at least aplurality of pins 46. More particularly, pins 46 extend through a top orfront surface 48 of printed circuit board 40 in order to couple withdisplay screen 44. Each pin 46 may be configured to control a particularsegment or portion of display screen 44. For example, each pin 46 may beconfigured to illuminate a portion or segment of a symbol (e.g., analphanumeric symbol, battery symbol) shown on display unit 20 such thatthe portion or segment of the symbol is visible to the user. Exemplarysymbols may indicate water temperature, water flow rate, operating mode,a date, a time, or any other parameter or information about fluiddelivery device 10.

Generally opposite front surface 48 of printed circuit board 40 is abottom or rear surface 50 of printed circuit board 50. As shown in FIGS.9 and 10, rear surface 50 includes a plurality of terminal holes oropenings 52 for terminals electrically coupled a plurality of lightsources 54 (FIG. 11). More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,terminal holes 52 include a first terminal hole 52A for a first lightground terminal (not shown) electrically coupled to a first light source54A, a second terminal hole 52B for a second light ground terminal (notshown) electrically coupled to a second light source 54B, and a thirdterminal hole 52C for a common power terminal (not shown) electricallycoupled to both first and second light sources 54A and 54B.Alternatively, terminal holes 52 may be configured for a first lightpower terminal, a second light power terminal, and a common groundterminal such that light sources 54 are operated by separate powerterminals and share a common ground terminal.

In one embodiment, first light source 54A is light-emitting diode(“LED”) and, more particularly, is a first bi-color blue/red LED.Alternatively, first light source 54A may be a single color LED, such asa blue LED. Additionally, second light source 54B also may be an LEDand, more particularly, is a second bi-color blue/red LED.Alternatively, second light source 54B may be a single color LED, suchas a red LED. First and second light sources 54A and 54B are opticallycoupled to diffuser 42 to distribute light in a uniform pattern ondisplay screen 44. In an alternative embodiment, light sources 54 ofdisplay unit 20 may include a third light source, for example a greenLED. In this way, the green, blue, and red colors of light sources 54may be displayed as single colors on display screen 44 or may becombined to form a generally infinite number of colors along thecomplete color spectrum.

First and second light sources 54A and 54B of the exemplary embodimentserve as a backlight for display screen 44. In one embodiment, displayunit 20 operates in a twisted nematic (“TN”) positive mode, and moreparticularly in a TN positive gray mode, in which the symbols visible ondisplay screen 44 are displayed or illuminated in a color other than thebacklight color of display screen 44. For example, the symbols may besegmented numbers constantly displayed in a white, gray, or black color,whereas the backlighting of display screen 44 may be illuminated in bluecolor, red color, or any combination color thereof along the blue-redgradient, such as purple or magenta. Conversely, in a furtherembodiment, display screen 44 may be a color LCD screen for displayingcomplete graphical symbols, rather than segmented portions of a symbol.By using a color LCD screen, both the color of the graphical symbol andthe color of the backlighting on display screen 44 may be changedaccording to the colors of light sources 54 or a combination thereof.

Additionally, in a further alternative embodiment, display unit 20 mayinclude an organic LED or O-LED, which combines light sources 54 anddisplay screen 44 into a single component. As such, the various colorsof light sources 54 (e.g., blue, red, and/or green) may be used todefine the colors of any symbols on the O-LED screen, for example analphanumeric symbol, rather than defining the color of the backlighting.

In operation, when fluid delivery device is turned on, water will flowtherefrom. The user may adjust the temperature of the water by providingan input to user interface 16. For example, the user may depress pushbutton 18A, rotate knob 18B, turn handle 18C, and/or rotate dial 18D inorder to adjust the water temperature. As the water temperature changes,the backlight color of display unit 20 changes to a color that generallycorresponds to the temperature of the water. For example, according tothe exemplary embodiment, a blue backlight color may indicate cold waterand a red backlight color may indicate hot water. As such, the color ofthe symbols on display screen 44 of display unit 20 will remainconstant, however, the color of the backlighting of display unit 20 willchange in response to the change in temperature.

More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in operation, a step 60will determine if fluid delivery device 10 is on. If fluid deliverydevice 10 is off, the process will end at step 62. However, if fluiddelivery device 10 is on and the user activates one of user inputs 18 toadjust the temperature of the water, as shown in step 64, temperaturesensor 22 will measure the temperature of the water and send a signal tocontroller 24. Once controller 24 receives the signal indicating thewater temperature, controller 24 sends a signal to light sources 54 ondisplay unit 20 to adjust the color of the backlight of display screen44. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, if the user adjusts fluid deliverydevice 10 to deliver only cold water, for example water with atemperature less than approximately 80° F. (as shown in step 66),controller 24 will send a signal to display unit 20 to activate or turnon only first light source 54A via the first light ground terminalextending through first terminal hole 52A. Alternatively, controller 24may send a signal to both first and second light sources 54A and 54B toactivate only a portion of each light source 54A, 54B (e.g., only onecolor portion, such as the blue color portion). In this way, thebacklighting of display screen 44 is only blue and the user sees onlyblue backlighting on display unit 20 when the temperature of the wateris less than or equal to approximately 80° F., as shown in step 68.Alternatively, if first light source 54A is a color other than blue, thecolor of the backlighting of display screen 44 also will be that color,rather than blue, when the temperature of the output water is less thanor equal to approximately 80° F.

However, in step 66, if the user activates one of user inputs 18 toincrease the temperature of the water to a temperature greater than 80°F. and less than 110° F., temperature sensor 22 will determine thetemperature of the water and send a signal to controller 24 in step 70.The temperature input to controller 24 causes controller 24 to send asignal to display screen 44 and first and/or second light sources 54A,54B to backlight display screen 44. More particularly, controller 24sends a signal to second light source 54B via the second light groundterminal extending through second terminal hole 52B and the common powerterminal extending through third terminal hole 52C to activate or turnon second light source 54B to backlight display screen 44.Alternatively, controller 24 may send a signal to both first and secondlight sources 54A and 54B to activate all portions of each light source54A, 54B (e.g., both color portions, such as the blue and red colorportions). As such, both blue and red backlighting will be activated viafirst and second light sources 54A and 54B. With both first and secondlight sources 54A and 54B turned on when the water temperature isgreater than 80° F. and less than 110° F., the backlighting of displayunit 20 will be a combination of blue and red colors, for examplepurple, magenta, or any other color along the blue-red gradient, asshown in step 74. In one embodiment, when the temperature of the wateris greater than 80° F. but less than approximately 95° F., the backlightcolor may be a combination of blue and red which includes more blue thanred, for example dark purple or indigo. However, when the temperature ofthe water is greater than approximately 95° F. and less thanapproximately 110° F., the backlight color of display screen 44 may be acombination of blue and red which includes more red than blue, forexample magenta, orchid, or other shades purple. It may be appreciatedthat as the temperature of the water increases, the intensity of the redbacklighting color begins to overcome the intensity of the bluebacklighting color to visually signal to the user that the temperatureof the water is increasing. In this way, the color of the backlightingof display unit 20 successively and gradually changes along the blue-redgradient such that a generally infinite number of color combinationswithin the blue-red gradient may be possible as the temperature of thewater is adjusted. As the backlighting color of display unit 20 changesin response to the water temperature, the color of the symbols ondisplay unit do not change and may a remain constant color, for example,white, black, gray, or any other color that is visible with abacklighting color within the blue-red gradient. In the alternativeembodiment which includes three light sources 54, the backlighting colorof display unit 20 is not limited to a color along the blue-redgradient, but instead, may be changed to any color within the completecolor spectrum. In the further alternative embodiment which includes anO-LED, the symbols on display screen 44 may change color, rather thanthe backlighting thereof.

If the user continues to increase the temperature of the water such thatfluid delivery device 10 outputs only hot water, for example water at atemperature greater than or equal to approximately 110° F., controller24 will send a signal to display unit 20 to activate or turn on onlysecond light source 54B via the second light ground terminal extendingthrough second terminal hole 52B to backlight display screen 44, asshown in step 72. If the water was previously at a temperature less than110° F., controller 24 will simultaneously send a signal to deactivateor turn off first light source 54A via the first light source groundterminal extending through first terminal hole 52A. Alternatively,controller 24 may send a signal to both first and second light sources54A and 54B to activate only a portion of each light source 54A, 54B(e.g., only one color portion, such as the red color portion). In thisway, the backlighting of display screen 44 is only red when fluiddelivery device 10 outputs hot water and the user sees only redbacklighting on display unit 20. Alternatively, if second light source54B is a color other than red, the color of the backlighting of displayscreen 44 also will be that color, rather than red, when the temperatureof the output water is at least approximately 110° F.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

1. A display unit for a fluid delivery device configured to output watercomprising: a printed circuit board; a diffuser supported by the printedcircuit board; a display screen electrically coupled to the printedcircuit board; a first light source electrically coupled to the printedcircuit board; and a second light source electrically coupled to theprinted circuit board, the first and second light sources definingbacklighting for the display screen, and operation of the first andsecond light sources being adjusted in response to a change intemperature of the output water of the fluid delivery device.
 2. Thedisplay unit of claim 1, wherein the first light source is a firstbi-color light-emitting diode (“LED”) and the second light source is asecond bi-color LED.
 3. The display unit of claim 2, wherein the firstand second bi-color LEDs are blue/red bi-color LEDs.
 4. The display unitof claim 3, wherein the backlighting of the display screen outputs ablue color when the temperature of the water is less than approximately80° F.
 5. The display unit of claim 3, wherein the backlighting of thedisplay screen outputs a red color when the temperature of the water isgreater than approximately 110° F.
 6. The display unit of claim 3,wherein the backlighting of the display screen outputs a color whichincludes red and blue when the temperature of the water is approximately80° F.-approximately 110° F.
 7. The display unit of claim 1, wherein thefluid delivery device is a showerhead.
 8. The display unit of claim 1,wherein the fluid delivery device is a hand shower.
 9. The display unitof claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery device is a faucet.
 10. Thedisplay unit of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensorproviding an indication of the temperature of the output water to theprinted circuit board.
 11. The display of claim 10, wherein thebacklighting changes color from blue to red through a successivegradient between blue and red.
 12. A fluid delivery device configured tooutput water comprising: a temperature sensor for detecting temperatureof the output water; a controller electrically coupled to thetemperature sensor; and a display unit electrically coupled to thecontroller and including a first light source configured to be operatedby the controller to adjust backlighting of the display unit, thecontroller being configured to receive a signal from the temperaturesensor and send at least one signal to the first light source inresponse to the signal from the temperature sensor.
 13. The fluiddelivery device of claim 12, further comprising a second light sourceconfigured to be operated by the controller to adjust the backlightingof the display unit, and the controller is configured to receive thesignal from temperature sensor and send at least one signal to at leastone of the first and second light sources in response to the signal fromthe temperature sensor.
 14. The fluid delivery device of claim 12,wherein the first light source is a first blue/red bi-colorlight-emitting diode (“LED”) and the second light source is a secondblue/red bi-color LED.
 15. The fluid delivery device of claim 14,wherein the controller is configured to adjust the backlighting of thedisplay unit to a blue color when the temperature of the water is lessthan approximately 80° F.
 16. The fluid delivery device of claim 15,wherein the controller is configured to adjust the backlighting of thedisplay unit to a red color when the temperature of the water is atleast approximately 110° F.
 17. The fluid delivery device of claim 16,wherein the controller is configured to adjust the backlighting of thedisplay unit to a color which includes red and blue when the temperatureof the water is approximately 80° F.-approximately 110° F.
 18. A methodof controlling a backlighting output on a fluid delivery deviceconfigured to deliver water comprising the steps of: providing a displayunit on the fluid delivery device; electrically coupling a first lightsource defining a first color to the display unit; electrically couplinga second light source defining a second color to the display unit;providing a controller configured to adjust an output of the first andsecond light sources; sending a first signal from the controller to thefirst light source to adjust the backlighting output of the fluiddelivery device to the first color when a temperature of the water isless than a first temperature; and sending a second signal from thecontroller to at least the second light source to adjust thebacklighting output of the fluid delivery device to include the secondcolor when the temperature of the water is greater than the firsttemperature.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step ofsending a signal from the controller to the second light source toadjust the backlighting output of the fluid delivery device to thesecond color when the temperature of the water is at a maximumtemperature.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first temperatureis approximately 80° F.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the maximumtemperature is at least approximately 110° F.
 22. The method of claim18, wherein the first color is blue and the second color is red.
 23. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising the steps of electricallycoupling a temperature sensor to the controller, and measuring thetemperature of the water with the temperature sensor.